Five Benefits of Modern Fleet Tracking Systems

Today’s fleet tracking systems have advanced significantly from the days of simply displaying “dots on a map.” Modern fleet tracking is capable of much more than just pinpointing vehicle location. Used correctly, it can help businesses respond faster to changing conditions and improve customer satisfaction, all while boosting fleet efficiency and safety.

Here are five ways that modern GPS fleet tracking can help organizations do more:

1. Deliver Higher Levels of Customer Service
Companies are finding ways to use immediate fleet status to deliver a five-star customer experience. For instance, more accurate arrival estimates mean fewer calls from customers asking about delivery status. And status calls can be answered more quickly without having to reach the driver. You can use fleet tracking to quickly identify the closest vehicle to a service destination as a way of responding faster to new or changing customer requests.

With mobile integration, some fleet tracking systems offer vehicle information on virtually any device, including mobile platforms, giving you the option to respond to your customers anywhere, anytime.

2. Optimize Routing
Access to current and historical route data can help fleet managers better manage driver time and trips. Fleet tracking systems that combine GPS data with real-time mapping data can provide up-to-the-minute data on traffic and road conditions, along with current fleet locations. This helps dispatchers more nimbly reroute vehicles and adapt to changing conditions as they happen.

Analysis of trip history data also can reveal patterns and lead to performance improvements, such as avoiding a particular section of road at certain times of the day.

3. Deter Cargo Theft
Companies lose $30 billion annually from cargo and vehicle theft. Knowing exactly where your equipment is at all times is the key to managing loss. With leading fleet tracking systems, you can create custom geofences, along with alerts when vehicles stray from their territories or operate outside of business hours. This helps ensure drivers are safely sticking to their routes.

In addition, route replay can help managers identify patterns of lengthy stops and unauthorized side trips. You can also set up fleet tracking systems to track trailers and help locate stolen cargo and equipment in real time, minimizing loss and damage.

For example, by combining location with engine idling data, fleet managers can pinpoint problem areas and remind drivers to turn off their engines. Visibility into an entire fleet can help dispatchers deploy vehicles more efficiently, reducing empty miles and improving overall vehicle utilization. Leading fleet tracking systems can be configured to generate custom reports and real-time alerts to hone in on specific problem areas.

5. Improve Driver Safety
Most importantly, fleet tracking can help organizations protect their most valuable assets—their drivers. Many GPS fleet tracking systems can play back individual routes, presenting an animated trail of where any drivers were speeding so you can find opportunities to coach drivers and improve their driving skills.

As many fleet owners have discovered, a company vehicle is an important brand asset. When your drivers practice safe and courteous driving, it leaves a positive impression on others who share the road with your vehicles. Fleet tracking services can be used to maintain and reinforce coaching programs designed to improve driver performance.

Real-time GPS tracking devices have evolved to meet a variety of business and operational needs. If you haven’t evaluated fleet tracking options in a few years, or if you’re just starting your search for a solution, check out our fleet tracking guide. You might be surprised by what today’s systems are capable of.